Richard

Mayastuns me into silence. She doesn’t stick around for a reply that probably won’t come. Whatever relief I gained from finding out neither Maya nor myself are Abby’s parents seems short-lived, easily replaced by the ache in my chest as I watch her walk away from me yet again.

I deserved better fromyou.

Of course she did. She deserved the whole damn world, but I was—am—too sick to give her anything but heartache.

And whose fault is that?

I’m not sure how long I stand there mulling over the conversation I had with Maya, but I don’t move until my skin prickles from the rising sun. I take a step toward my car and nearly trip over a small person standing in front of me.

“Hi!” Abby smiles up at me and waves.

My heart rate picks up. “Hi?”

“You’re the mister from last night.” The tan skin around…